System of preventing the theft of motor vehicles



LMSZ

Aug l2 V E. TARAGNQM SYSTEM oF mavmmne THE THEFT oF MOTOR vsmcms ,Original Filed Nov. 29. 1921 2 Smets-Sham l Augb R20 E. TARAGNOLI SYSTEM 0F PREVENTING THE THEFT 0F MOTOR VEHICLES 1921 2 Shasta-Sheet 2 @riginal Filed Nov. 29

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ELVEZIO TARJLGNOL, F WEST NEW YORK, NEW* JEVBSEY, ASSIGNOB GF DEVE-THIRD T0 RICHARD UkJ'I-` AND ONE-THERE T CHARLES YORK, NEW JERSEY.

SYSTEM". Ol? FREVENTING- TEE THEFT OF March 26, 1923.

T0 al?. 't0/0m t may concern.'

lle. it known that l, ELvnzio TAnAeNoLr, a citizen of Switzerland, residing in West New York in the county of Hudson and State ot Njew Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful System of Preventing the Theft ot Motor Vehicles, of which the following is a speciiication.

This application is a division of my application Seria-l No. 518,554A and relates, more particularly,V to means 'for preventing the theft ot motor vehicles through the control ofthe operativeness ot the ignition circuit ot the vehicle. More especially the present invention consists in a permutation switch whereby only a person familiar with the combination thereof can effect the operativeness ot said circuit.

. rl"he object of the invention is to provide a permutation switch for this purpose which will be simple and eliicient in the carrying out otits intended functions and which will be so constituted as to preclude its operation by unauthorized persons.

Features ofthe invention, other than those adverted to, will be apparent from the hereinafter detailed description and claims, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The accompa'nying` drawings illustrate one practical embodiment of the invention, but the construction therein shown is to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure l is a diagrammatic perspective view ot a switch embodying this inventionu Figure Q is a rear elevation of the switch.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 et Figure 2.

Figure 4: is a section through a key 'by means of which the permutation switches are controlled.

Figure 5 is a back view of the key.

Figure 6 is a front view thereof. x

Figure 7 is a detail side elevation ot' one ot' the parts ot the key.

Figure 8 is a side elevation ot one ot the switch shafts or spindles; and,

Figure 9fis a perspective view of an ele- 50 ment employed in the switch construction.

ln Figure l of the drawings, which diagrammatically she-ws the switch, it will be BERTGNI, BOTH OF 'iFfESll NEW MTOB VEHICLES.

Divided and this application tiled Serial No. 627,790.

noted that a portion of the permutation switch mechanism is shown backwards, so that this diagrammatic view may graphically illustrate the operation ot the invention, in a clear and concise manner. Figure 2, however, illustrates the parts of the switch mechanism correctly in rear elevation, so that the structure will be clearly understood.

The switch mechanism of this invention constitutes, in etl'ect, two switch elements so that the circuit which it controls may tbe made or broken at two points. Both of these switch elements are identical in construction, so that the description oi one will sutlice for both.

Both switches are mounted on a front plate l, which is of insulating material and is hacked up by a metallic plate 5 ot substantl .ly the same size as the front plate l. The front plate l is provided with holes Q and the metallic plate 5 is provided with alined holes and through these holes screws 2a may be passed tor the purpose ot simultaneously mounting both ot' said plates upon any suitable part of the car such as on the instrument board la. The front plate is provided with two holes through which al key, hereinafter described, is adapted to be introduced, to engage with shafts or spindles 8 or 3, which shafts or spindles control rthe two permutation switches. fluxtaposed with the said holes in the front plate are larger holes in the metallic plate 5 and positioned in these holes 5 are plates 5b. Screws extend through these plates 5b and thread into keyhole discs 6 to screw said discs to the front of the iront plate.

(ln the back oi' the metallic plate 5 the two permutation switches are mounted. ltlach ot' which embodies a base 7 fixed to the plate 5 by screws 8. The forward tace ot each hase 7, which is preferably made ot metal, is recessed as at 9 and in this recess operates a ratchet l0 rigidly secured to a. shaft or spindle 3 extending coaxial ot the base T and having its forward end project ing into the keyhole of the front plate. Bolts l2 are pivotally secured on screws 13 to the base of the recess 9 and are held in engagement withthe ratchet l0 by means ot springs lll, so as to permit oit rotation o'i the shaft 3 in only one direction. The

1 ratchet '10 is preferably provided with twelve Vteeth for reasons hereinafter explained.

Secured to the rear face of each base 7 is a metalli@ ring 15 held rigidly in position byscrews 16 and the inner circumference of this ring is undercut to embrace the outer circumference of a rotatable disc 17. The rear face ofthe ring 15 bears numbers from one te twelve (see Figure 2) corresponding to the number of teeth of the ratchet 10.

The rotatable disc 17 is adapted to be rotated within the ring 15, but may be locked in any desired position by means of clamp` ing screw 18, which threads through a plate 19. This plate 19 is firmly secured to the ring 15 by means of screws 20, so that when the clamping screw 18 is screwed down against the rear face of the rotatable disc 17, it will clamp said disc against rotation. In abutting relation to the rear face of the rotatable disc 17 is an insulating disc 21, back of which is positioned an insulating core disc 22, which is embraced circumferentially by a. metallic contact ring 23, secured in `place by screws 24 and having at one Vpoint in its circumference a rearwardly extending finger 25.V The contact ring 23 with its proj ect-ingcontact finger 25 is shown in perspective in Figure 9 of the drawings. Overlying the rear faces of the contactring 23 and the insulating core disc 22, is an insulating plate 26, against which a metallic disc 27 is drawn by screws 28 passing through the metal disc 27, the insulating plates 26 and 21 and through the core disc 22 and threading into the rotatable disc 17.

' These parts which are secured to the rotatable disc 17 are manifestly bodily movable therewith and the metal disc 27 and insulating plate 26 are cut away as at 29, so

that the contact finger 25 may extend rear- Wardly through this cutaway portion to a position wherein its rear end will be fiush with the rear face ofthe disc 27. It will be noted from Figures 2 and 3 that the cut away portion 29 is sufliciently large to leave clearance between its edges and the contact finger 25, so that said cont-act finger will be insulated from the disc 27. The rear end of the shaft 3 is squared to receive the hub 30 of a leaf spring wiper 31. Said hub is securedin position on the squared end of the shaft by means of a screw 32, which threads Yinto the end of the shaft and bears against a Washer` 33 seated on the end of the hub 30. The. spring wiper 31 extends radially of the shaft 3 andcarries at its outer end a movable contact brush 34, which, by virtue of the resiliency of the wiper 31, is maintained in engagement with the rear face of the metaldi'sc 27, but is adapted to be rotated with the shaft 3 to engage with the contact finger 25 of he contact ring 23.

The detailed description of the'parts just enumerated is duplicated for both switches and bearing against the outer circmnfercme of the contact ring 23 of each switch is a brush, the brush associated with the switch of the shaft 3 being designated 35 and the brush associated with the switch of the sha tt 3 being designated 35. These brushes are supported by springs 36 and 36 which hold them firmly against the contact rings and said springs are mounted by screws 37 and 37 on an insulating post 38 extending rearwardly from the front plate 1. This post is secured to the front plate by means of a screw 39. The screws 37 and 37 are insulated from one another, but are respectively connected by wires 40 and 40 to binding posts 41 and 41', associated with an insulating bracket 42 extending rearwardly from the front plate 1 and secured thereto by means of a screw 43. Associated with the front plate 1 and extending' rearwardly therefrom, so as to house and conceal the switch parts thus far described, is a casing 44, which may be secured in position by means of nuts 45, associated with threaded posts 46, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

From the foregoing description, it will appear that if positive and negative wiring leads are associated with the binding posts 41 and 41, that the rotation of the shafts 3 and 3 to bring the spring wipers 31 and 31 into contact with the contacts 25 and 25 will complete the electric circuit of which the said elect-ric leads form a part, since the wipers are electrically connected with one another through the shafts 3 and 3 and the metallic plate 5. The circuit would bc as follows:

From the binding post 41 through wire 40 to post 37, thence through spring 36 and contact 35 to contact ring 23, thence through contact finger 25 of said ring to the wiper 31 and then by way of the shaft. 3 to the plate 5, the current owing to the binding post 41 through the corresponding parts of the other switch in reverse order. i

In order that this circuit be completed, however, it is essential that both wipers 31 and 31 are in engagement with both coutact fingers 25 and 25. If both are not so positioned, the circuit cannot becompleted through the switches until the shaft of the improperly positioned wiper is manipulated to correctly position said wiper.

Manual manipulation of the shafts 3 and 3 by the driver or owner of the car, is made pos-sible by means of the key shown in detail in Figures 4, 5 and 6. The key embodies a metallic cup or spindle 47 provided at its closed end with a circular boss 4S from which projects a square shank 49. Revolvably mounted on the circular boss 48 is a dial 50 preferably of insulating material and provided with a hub 51, the outer configuration of which is octagonal, while the interior :Leonesa of the hub is circular as Shown in Figure 5. @ver the square shank'49 isslipped an index or pointer 52, which is followed by a knob 53 of insulating ymaterial vand 'a screw 54 threads into the end of -theshank and brings the iinger 52 and knob 53 firmly against the end of the boss 4S, while leaving the dial 50 and itshub 51 free to `rotate on the boss' 48 and'cup 47.

The forward end of each of thefsliafts '3 and `B is provided with a key-or feather 55 positioned directly forward of the sprocket 10, as shown in Figure 8, `and the cup member 47 of each key h-as a cut out portion 56 corresponding in shape to the key o-r feather 'Ilie front of the dial 50 is provided with a series of spac'ednumbers from one to twelve, which correspond toithe numbers on the ring 15 of each switch fand which ring may be termed the dial ring. The ke i shown in Figure '4 is adapted tobe brought into coopera-tive relation 'with the shafts in succession ortwo keysniay be employed, one for each shaft, if desired. In any event, the octagonal shaped hub 51 is adapted to .fit into the correspondingly shaped hole inthe keyhole discs G, sofas to mount the dial 50 against rotation and the cut out portion G is adapted `to interlock with the key or fea-ther 55 ofthe shaft. By this construction, the. knob 53 may be rotated to rotate the shaft, while the dial 50 is maintained against rotation by theinterfitting octagonal portions.

In describing the settingof the switches, we will assume that the combination will be 12 for the switch associated with the shaft 3 and 3 for the switch associated with'the shaft 3. The switches are only shown in Figure'2 as set at 12, so that it vwill beonly necessary to set-the right hand switch at 3 on the dial ring 15 to,` accomplish this, the binding screw 18 is loosened to permit of rotation of the rotatable disc 'corresponding to the disc 17, so that all the parts of the switch mounted upon thisrotatable disc may be turned for the purpose of bringing the contact finger intojuxtaposition with the 3 on the dial ringl.

The clamping screw 18 is thereupon tightened for the .purpose `of 'lockingA the parts in position. `It will appear that dial rings 15 and 15 are fixed in stationaryposition and do nottuin duriiigthe set-ting of the combination. The 12 on each dial is at all times at the topof the dial, so that, if the driver in inserting the key in Figure 4 is particularto so insert the keythat Ithe dial thereof will at all times be positioned with the 12 at the top, he maybe sure that the dial 50 willcorrespond exactly in position to the dial ring 15 or 1.5"of the associated` switch. I-Iaving set-fthe switches in the manner described, they maylbereadily manipulated through the employment of a key-as set forth by merely rotating the knob of s'uch key, so as to bring the spring wiper of the associated switch into juxtaposition with the contact linger of the associated contact ring 23 or 23. This manipulation ofthe wiper may be readily followed by observing the finger or pointer 52 associated withth'e dial 50, so that the. operator in manipulating the knob, can, if he knows the combination of the switches, rapidly and readily setthe switches so that a circuit in whichthebinding posts 41 and 41 are included, may be completed through the switches.

In practically carrying out the invention, the switches hereiiibefore described indetta-il are included, preferably, in series, in the ignition circuit of the vehicle motor so that said ignition circuit is controlled by these switches. It is therefore necessary to the completing of this circuittliat both switches be closed as neither can complete the circuit without the other. Accordingly, it is inconlcei-vable that any unauthorized person could possibly stumble upon the: combination of both switches and render the circuit operative. One must manifest-ly be in possession of the combination in order to start the car.

In practically carrying out the presentinvention, I may use either one or more permutation switches, as desired, tho two are preferable, and, moreover, while. the invenltion has been specifically referred to as particularly adapted for use on automobiles for controlling` the operativeness thereof, I wish it understood that it may be employed in other environments and is adapted for lgeneral application in the signalling art.

In the foregoing detailed description, I

have set forth the invention in its preferred i practical form. I am aware however that changesmay be made in the construction illustrated as by `the substitution of equivalents without departure yfrom the spirit or scope of the invention, which is to be understood as broadly novel as commensurate with the appended claims.

through rotation of the spindle, a knob shaped't@ detachably intei'iit with the forward end vof the `spindle and to be locked against'rotation therewith, a dial rotatably mounted on the knob and having a polygo- -nal sha-nk adapted to interiit with `the nal shank adapted to interiit with the polygonal aperture of the front plate to lock the dial against rotation, and a pointer rigid with the knob, cooperating with the dial, and pointing in the same direction as the movable Contact, whereby the pointer may be Watched during the rota-tion oi the knob to enable the positioning of the movable Contact in engagement With the Contact ing'er by one vWho is familiar with the Combination of .the lock., in combination With a ratchet Wheel rigid with the spindle and apaWl mounted on a fixed pivot and Cooperating with the ratchet to preclude rotation 0f the spindle in one direction and to control the positions of rest of the movable Contact.

7. A permutation svvitoh comprising a 'body member provided with an undercut annular channel, a stepped dise associated with the channel for rotation therein7 means Jor normally locking the stepped disc against rotation and a ixed Contact rigid with said dise in combination With a shaft extending coaXially of the dise and provided With a movable Contact adapted through rotation of the shaft to be engaged with and disengaged from the xed Contact, a knob for rotating said shaft in one direction, a rigid Wheel associated With the shaft, and a pamvl cooperating with the rigid wheel to preclude the opera-tion of the shaft in the opposite direction.

In testimony whereofa I have signed the annexed specification.

ELVEZIO rIRAGNULI. 

